Two hours later... - Lowrey Manor

"Where do you want to come into in all this? I'm somewhat busy with shipping and the trucking. Your Prince wants as little Ventrue involvement in the ports as possible beyond me, I imagine I am more savory to him given his biases than most of our clan. Suffice it to say I will make sure the clan profits from my involvement. If you can get your fingers into rail, and warehousing that will tie everything together that I am doing quite nicely, and enable you to profit from the ports as well."

She grinned and sat down, leaning back.

"I will look into the rails and the airports. Warehouses can be a joint effort."

He nodded and lit a cigar, blowing a stream of fragrant smoke towards the ceiling.

"Good, good. So much to do, and so few to do it; fewer still pursuing it though. I try to strike quickly, while most Kindred are thinking they can do it in the next few years. I might add, the financial holdings of many of this domain are in horrible condition if what I have observed is typical. That the Gangrel Rourke isn't more actively offering his services, should be a boon to us if we can overcome the general dislike for the family."

She grinned.

"This could be beneficial. Yes."

"Identify the most important Kindred who do not have properly managed portfolios and work from there. As near as I can tell of your Officers, only the Seneschal lacked proper investments, which has now been taken care of."

He paused to puff his cigar back to life and smiled.

"So much opportunity and so few taking advantage of it."

She chuckled.

"Yes, there seem to be many opportunities. I will have to look into this more thoroughly."

He nodded. "Now what do you require from me?"

She chuckled.

"Finally we have reached the point where you ask me to give you a way out of my debt."

"I apologize it took so long. "

She laughed.

"It is no problem. You have been adjusting to this time. And better my debt than others, yes? So, what do you have to offer?"

"Business shares, domain over an area, something else perhaps ?"

She smiled.

"You've already given me domain, I just haven't taken it yet. Business shares....perhaps at another time. Is that truly all you can think of that would interest me?"

"All I have is land, money, and business. I can give you nos or sabbat lore if you lack it, or do a personal service for you. What it boils down to, is I am basically twelve years old doing business with an ancient. What am I capable of offering you?"

She smiled.

"I have the loyatly of a Baron. That is something not many can profess to have. But I will think of something more...tangible."

"I'm sure you will " he smiled

She waved her hand in the air.

"But enough of that. How goes your holdings?"

"They go. I found a malk and her gator living in a swamp, but nothing else exciting "

She nodded.

"And you are going to leave her?"

"She claimed her swamp before I awoke. It would be hypocritical to deny it now, wouldn't it?"

She nodded.

"Of course."

He looked at Christine for a moment, an almost searching gaze.

"I am debating something here, and I'm not sure just how far I am willing to go to get it. What would it take to get at least one or two lessons in Obten from you?"

She smiled.

"Truthfully? A single bond. I must be certain of your loyalty for me to teach that."

"One drink? I think I can manage that" he said after a moment

She nodded.

"How much would you want to learn?"

"To be brutally honest, as much as I could, but I can tell you I'm unwilling to do more than a single step bond on general principle."